79 coupe build - street legal auto-crosser

[BMW Rider]

And another success. I had to go in a renew my drivers license so while I was there I figured I'd see what it would take to get the Mustang plated. I had the registration from the previous owner and the bill of sale which was all I needed aside from the usual proof of insurance. Not that I'm going to drive it for a while yet, but I do have a legal plate and registration for it now.

It says a lot about how silly our vehicle registration system is when I can walk in and re-register a car that has been out of the system for over 27 years, yet a one year old car purchased from a dealership in the province next door with only 3500 kms on had to have a complete safety inspection before it could be plated. All that just because it was technically not a demo car since it had been registered in BC. Having gone through that hassle with my wife's new car last year, I truly expected to have that or worse trying to register the Mustang. Since they were clearing the Mustang so easily, I figured I'd just do it early before they decided to change the rules.

[wraithracing]

Congrats on getting the Mustang Legal!

I will be going thru similar issues in the near future with a couple of mine!

[82GTforME]

I'm surprised about not needing at least an insurance inspection. Typically a new to the insuring company (not out of province) you still need the quick inspection done as a requirement to be insured.

[BMW Rider]

I would be fine with the insurance company inspection as they are generally pretty minimal and can be signed off by any provincially licensed mechanic which I happen to be. The appraisal will give them all the details on the car and will show that pretty much everything is new or renewed.

[BMW Rider]

Its on its way to the body shop. The garage seems a little empty right now.

[BMW Rider]

Just got an update from the body shop. He has the car all stripped down now and is ready to commence doing the metal work.





He found a bit more rust around the right rear wheel well once it was cleaned up, otherwise, no big surprises.

[84StangSVT]

Sweet! One step closer! Can't wait to see some paint on this car.

[Davedacarpainter]

Seems like I'm watching you in two forums......Still, nice progress brother. It probably seems like forever for you while it's in the body shop, huh?

[BMW Rider]

Considering it took me 27 years to get this far, a few more months is not such a big deal. But yes, it is tough to not be doing anything myself on it. I do have some other home projects to work on hat have been neglected while I focused on the car the past couple years.

[wraithracing]

Sweet!

Shouldn't be too much longer and you will be racing in style!

[BMW Rider]

I went up to the shop last week to see thew progress and hand over a big chunk of money for the work so far. He had a bunch of the body pieces primed and nearly ready for paint. Today he sent me this picture.





Next he will be working over the fenders to get the fit right on them. He needs to do a bit more work on the area where I modified the wheel opening as well as some work to get the gap correct at the back edge, but overall he was fairly happy with the fit of the aftermarket fenders.

[JTurbo]

Looking good....

[Mustang-junky]

Pretty color.

Jess

[BMW Rider]

More stuff getting paint. Underside of the hood and the trunk done. Topsides will get done soon.

[Davedacarpainter]

Jeez that's going to be beautiful!

[wraithracing]

That's going to be too pretty to RACE!

You will be scared to death you might scratch it or get a rock chip!

Looking Good!

[BMW Rider]

That's going to be too pretty to RACE!

You will be scared to death you might scratch it or get a rock chip!

Looking Good!

I gotta admit, it does worry me a bit. I don't plan to be highly aggressive on the track. No plan to do head to head racing, just some track laps occasionally and some autocross events where the paint work should stay looking pretty.

[n20capri]

That's going to be too pretty to RACE!

No such thing!

[BMW Rider]

Top sides are painted now.

[82GTforME]

Ed is that single stage or did you go with a base and clear? Looks remarkable either way! I feel so reluctant to paint in stages or portions like this but I just need to bite the bullet and do it.

[BMW Rider]

It's a base/clear but this is just the base coat. once the stripes are done the clear will go on. He is using water based paint system also. As I understand it, the whole thing gets knocked down before the clear goes on. He tells me the stripes will be smooth at the edges with no edge from the masking too once done.

[BMW Rider]

He messaged me today and was wondering about my right front fender. Apparently the lip on the edge of the flared part of the opening is narrower at the rear edge than it should be. Looks like just a sloppy reproduction. He says he will work it over to even it out so it matches the other three wheel openings. This is why I needed a pro to do this part of the job (among many other reasons). The other cool trick he is doing with all the openings is to remove the inner lip that is usually just rolled for clearance and replace it with a 5/16" rod formed to the opening. The rod is bonded to the fender to strengthen the edge. This way there is clearance for the tires and no sharp edge even if there was ever contact.

[BMW Rider]

Steady progress on the paint and body work over the past couple months. The fenders and doors are done and ready for paint. There ended up being a couple spots on the doors that looked like surface rust but ended up being pinholes. Those were patched with new metal. Otherwise no surprises.

The body is now done and in primer. Not too much for surprises there either, a bit of rust around the right rear wheel opening on the flange. That toowas cut out and replaced. The other item that was addressed was smoothing off the fuel filler door. I don't need it with the fuel cell, so decided to go for a cleaner look. He also filled the unused switch holes in the door jambs.

[wraithracing]

The coupe is looking good!

I am sure you are anxious to finally see it in color!

[BMW Rider]

Every step closer brings more anticipation of the finished car for sure. Once it is going back together and the stripes get done it will really start to look like something.

He expects to not do much on it during the summer months. He has a bunch of little jobs lined up for people wanting to get their cars ready for the summer shows and cruises. Still targeting November to have it back home for final work over the winter.